From Youngsville Mayor Ken Ritter:
Maintaining an aging sewer system involves managing I & I as seen here in Copperfield (in Youngsville).
What is I & I? Infiltration & Inflow.
Groundwater (infiltration) seeps into sewer pipes through holes, cracks, joint failures, and faulty connections.
Stormwater (inflow) rapidly flows into sewers via roof drain downspouts, foundation drains, storm drain cross-connections, and through holes in manhole covers.
Some of our I & I issues are caused by aging infrastructure, but it may also be caused by newer utilities, such as fiber boring through sewer lines during installation. In some cases, it may not be immediately known that a bore-through occurs until a sinkhole forms. Running cameras or smoke testing through sewer lines can help identify these areas for repair. While some I & I is common, ongoing evaluation and repair helps ensure that our sewer treatment plant is not inundated with treating stormwater and wastewater.
